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The cats were once feral as little kittens but completely social now. I decided since I was allergic I couldn’t keep them in the house and they drove the dogs nuts! I have one cat that thinks he’s a dog.

The inside is floored with cedar chip bedding. They have beds and it’s like a cozy little cabin. You can’t see it but the top is completely closed in with chicken wire. This summer I will build a waterfall pond with some fish.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Japanese Eggplant, Thai Basil and Lemon Grass

With high gas prices, the cost and quality of food today we are all searching for ways to cut cost and provide our family with healthy fresh food. Here at the farm I am fortunate enough to grow enough food for myself and to share with my family. I have many years experience growing natural and organic fruits and vegetables. Although I am not a master gardener I feel pretty confident that I can provide you with information to help you get started.

Below this post you’ll see a comments section and a box to subscribe to comments. This post will act as an interactive discussion where you and others can ask questions or share your own links and information. Rather then post a multi page article on ALL your gardening options we’ll start with the basics and then wait for questions posted below and follow up post. If you subscribe to comments below you’ll receive an email each time someone post to this topic.

How do you grow an organic garden?

I admit that not every single thing that I do in my garden is considered organic by USDA standards. I may use a professional planting mix (Not miracle gro) and occasionally I will mulch with newspaper.  What I won’t use is pesticides or chemical fertilizers.  Few people realize the overall effects on your soil condition and food from chemicalfertilizers not mention what it does to wildlife.  Before we begin it’s important that you read :  Harmful Effects of Miracle Gro

The simplest and most effective way to grow fruits and vegetables is in a raised bed or containers. It’s much easier to control weeds and the condition the soil.  You can also grow in 5 gallon buckets or anything that holds soil.

How much sunlight is in the area you wish to place your garden? You need at least 6-8 hours of natural light per day.

In the ground or in a bed? Most of my gardening is done intensively in raised beds and automated irrigation. I find this way quicker, easier and produces larger crops. A bed can be made of anything, however stay away from pressure treated woods or they will leech harmful chemicals into your soil. I use white cedar, however this is expensive. Maybe others here have ideas? VERY IMPORTANT- always line the bottom and sides with weed cloth or nursery ground cover. Otherwise you’ll have weeds and grass growing straight up into your beds.

Using Straw Bales. Put down some weed cloth or ground cover. Sit straw bales on them. Do not take off the twine. Put top soil and compost smeared all on top, dig out holes into the straw with a spade and plant your seedlings in this. Then set up soaker hoses pinning it down on top, next to your plants and set up a simple timer on your facet to the hoses. Be sure to fertilize often because it runs down into the straw. This works great. It drains well and the roots get plenty of air.

What type of soil? Although you can grow in almost anything that drains, soil PH and balance is important. I also want a mix that will help save on watering. I like to use something you can get at a large Nursery call Sunshine Pro Mix 1. It comes in a 2 cubic foot bale. It cost about 30 bucks but it will fill a average size bed and go a long way. It also is a soiless mix containing peat, perlite, mosses. In the long run you’ll save money and time. You can however purchase bags of top soil, manure and compost to make your own. have at it!  If you have a lot of beds, a large garden then this could be a process, building your soil. We’ll get into compost soon.  Deciding to use organic potting soil is a personal choice. The truth is you can use almost anything if you’re willing to amend the soil so that it can provide nutrients to your plants.

More coming soon. Please feel free to start posting your questions below. I’ll keep add to this post and be sure to check the comments for post and replies.

www.buygojiberryplants.com

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Rudy (3 legs) Wonder Dog (right) Mulligan (back)

Ruby and Mulligan live in Virginia. They are staying for 6 months while their family remodels. Ruby has three legs but this doesnt stop her from jumping on the table and hanging out. Mulligan is the oldest of the group and pretty mellow. Wonder Dog is a rescue I’ve had for 8 years.

Rascal is camera shy

Rowdy IS rowdy!

Above is Rascal and Rowdy. Rascal runs and hides every time I pull the camera out.  He and Rowdy are here for a year while their family is working Italy. Rowdy is one wild boy! Rascal more laid back. Rascal loves laying on the deck and prefers spending as much time as he can outside. He also likes to hang out with me while I do chores around the farm. He’s one of the few dogs I can let off leash and know he won’t take off. I could never do this with Rowdy!

On the ground is straw we put down in the winter to keep things clean. Every month new straw and hay goes down. The dog areas are always swept and clean. Its a full time job because these dogs are always on vacation and play non-stop. Everything looks clean now but it doesnt always look so clean! Especially after a big rain, lots of playful muddy dogs. In fact if you see the picture of Rowdy the floor is wet. “Someone” loves to play in the water bucket.

Thursday is Thanksgiving and we have two turkeys. One for me and my family and one for the dogs. The dogs get turkey, sweet potatos and yogurt (to help digest all that good food!).

Taking care of foster dogs long term is a great responsibility. Its important to us that we provide a loving, home like environment for dogs that must be away from their families. In fact we probably spoil them even more because of this. Nice long brushing, petting, walking and as you can see non-stop playing!

We are a small boarding facility and not like most boarding facilities. Imagine your dog going to summer camp or staying with trusted relatives. They are loved, cared for and their needs are considered. Most all dogs have a great time here.

In addition to daily boarding we offer long term foster care for dogs. Long term dog foster care is two months and longer. We do offer a special rate for long term foster care and provide updates, photos and videos.

Please take a few moments to look over our site for information. If you have any questions, please use the contact form to ask questions. You will receive a quick reply.

We now have a new boarding website  www.spoileddogboarding.com

For long term dog boarding, dog retirement and pet trust visit www.longtermdogboarding.com

Thanks!

Tamara

Please support us and tell your friends.

We all get really busy and it’s tough being home all day. This gives a much needed potty break and a chance to get some hugs and kisses.

Walks and visits are Monday-Friday - between the hours of noon and 4pm.  The only persons walking your dogs will be myself and a family member.

$300.00 a month – 5 days a week for 30 min a trip – each park trip (60 min) add additional 25.00 – each additional dog, same family, add $50.00 – You can combine with a neighbor if their house is within two houses and the dogs get along with each other enjoy playing.

0r a more affordable option.

$150.00 a month –  2 days a week or 8 times per month.

Once you sign up you are billed monthly. Space is limited and its an ongoing program. If you’re interested and in the Danville/Brosville area use the contact form to contact me.

Thanks

Tamara

just click the link.